Nigerians have a history of moving to Canada and often regard the country as their second home. Nigerians account for belonging to the country which is the fourth-largest in terms of providing new immigrants to Canada. Almost 15,000 Nigerians acquired permanent residency in 2021.
In case you wish to migrate to Canada from Nigeria, there are available options for immigration.
Canadian immigration from Nigeria
Canada is the ultimate choice for Nigerians who seek to immigrate due to the countless career and economic opportunities. Nigerians are skilled in professions including oil, gas, Information and Technology sector, health, science, and other fields associated with Engineering.
Canada is also home to numerous advantages including political stability, a flourishing economy, a developed healthcare structure, and an education system with international recognition.
Almost 42,000 Canadians originally belong to Nigerian descent and even consider Canada as their home. The figure has only grown continuously annually. Most Nigerians move to Canada as skilled professionals through economic class programs.
Canada Immigration Levels Plan is likely to continue increasing annually. Consequently, the Nigerian diaspora will even grow more than the current figure.
Possibility of immigrating to Canada from Nigeria
Nigerians have several reasons to qualify for Canadian immigration programs based on their skills and abilities. Their high proficiency in the English language, level of education, and work experience are a few essential factors that make them eligible for Canadian immigration programs.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Worker Program can be the best option available for Nigerian immigration candidates living overseas. This program will permit eligible Nigerians to apply for permanent residence with considerable work experience and without any ties with Canada or valid employment offers in Canada.
FSWP specifically targets skilled professionals who can possibly utilize their work experience from a foreign country, language abilities, and other human capital components.
Their skills and abilities will prove beneficial to making a mark for themselves in Canada.
Candidates must also meet the essential minimum eligibility requirements, which are as follows:
- Full-time work experience for 1 complete year, or have work experience in the previous ten years equivalent to a skilled occupation classified under the NOC codes.
- The language ability must be proven and equivalent to the standard score of CLB 7 in either French or English. The score must cater to all language aspects: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Reports concerning three sorts of credentials: Canadian Credentials, Educational Credential Assessment, and foreign credentials.
- IRCC comprises six selection immigration factors and FSWP candidates must score at least 67 points based on those factors.
- As an eligible candidate, you must demonstrate your ability to provide for yourself and your family’s needs to settle in the country.
Being eligible for FSWP
FSWP is a prominent immigration pathway among the three Express Entry economic programs under the government of Canada.
After getting the confirmation about your eligibility for Express Entry’s FSWP, you must visit the IRCC website and create your profile for the same. Upload the profile immediately.
Doing so will fetch you your score under the Comprehensive Ranking System considering all essential factors such as work experience, age, language proficiency, and educational qualification.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada selects the highest-scoring candidates from the Express Entry pool and sends them invitations to apply for a Canadian PR.
Additionally, IRCC fixed a 6-month processing time as part of their service standard for Express Entry candidates.
The target is to invite 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry by 2024. Combining all such factors makes Express Entry a desirable immigration option for aspiring candidates. However, it is also the fastest route for obtaining Canadian permanent residency status.
Provincial Nominee Program
The (PNP) Provincial Nominee Program is the best-suited option available for immigration candidates from Nigeria. Canada comprises a federal government and has ten provinces and three territories. The pathway provides an opportunity for provinces and territories so they can develop their separate immigration programs fulfilling their economic and demographic requirements.
Provinces and territories also have the opportunity to select skilled worker candidates by nominating them with respect to their jurisdiction.
Candidates from Nigeria have the authority to apply through a PNP directly for Canadian immigration. If they are already under the Express Entry pool, they have a chance to attain a nomination through a province. The provinces tend to select candidates from the federal Express Entry pool. If candidates receive a nomination under the stream linked to an Express Entry stream, 600 additional points will be added to the CRS. It implies a guaranteed invitation to apply for PR in the Express Entry draw.
